Hugh Jackman to appear in "Six Years"

The 'Les Miserables' actor is to take on the role of Jake Fisher in the adaptation of Harlan Coben's new book of the same name after Paramount won a bidding war for the project.

The story follows Jackman's character as he loses the love of his life, Natalie, to another man. Six years later, Jake reads his rival's obituary in a newspaper and attends the funeral hoping to see his former lover.

However, when he gets there, the mourning widow is another woman, leading Jake to question everything about his past.

Paramount are hoping to lock in a writer and director soon in order to get the project into development quickly.

Tom Rothman is in negotiations to produce alongside Mark Gordon

Despite Coben's books being regulars on the best-seller lists, 'Six Years' is only the second to be adapted for the big screen.

In 2006, Guillaume Canet directed a French-language version of 'Tell No One', and Warner Bros. have the rights for a remake, which has Chris Terrio attached as writer and 'Argo' filmmaker Ben Affleck as director.

Jackman can next be seen on screen in 'The Wolverine' and will reprise the role in 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' once filming has completed on kidnap drama 'Prisoners'.